A truly iconic special edition timepiece has been chosen for this Gents Watch of the Week, and the historical significance behind this especially notable chronograph has been particularly lauded as of late. The special edition TAG Heuer Jack Heuer Edition Carrera Calibre 1887 watch is an exquisite homage to Jack Heuer, the honorary chairman of TAG Heuer, and the man himself has lent his own expertise to numerous aspects of this wristwatch. With 2013 marking the 50th anniversary of TAG Heuer Carrera watches, this new luxury edition of the TAG Heuer flagship collection is a considerable development within the brand’s already storied history, melding together Carrera’s past, present and future into a single flawless creation.
Now retired, Jack Heuer still occupies an honorary position at TAG Heuer, and a previous limited edition timepiece was released to commemorate his 80th birthday. This exceptional Calibre 1887 model represents a nostalgic acknowledgement to these previous celebrations. In contrast to a conventional Calibre 1887, the Jack Heuer Edition Carrera possesses a movement that has been rotated in the manner of a Bullhead chronograph, and the crown and stoppers are therefore situated on the top of the case to echo a traditional racing stopwatch. This vintage excellence is extended through the 45mm case, which boasts an asymmetrical design that mimics the TAG Heuer Mikrogirder. These adjustments also mean that the wristwatch occupies a more elevated position upon the wrist, allowing the timing functions to be accessed with greater ease.
The angled dial of this Jack Heuer Edition Carrera continues this legacy of peerless performance, allowing more optimised standards of legibility without needing to unduly orient the watch. The stainless steel of the case is resplendent in a refined black titanium carbide colour, and the case back also allows the automatic chronograph movement to be viewed in all of its miniscule detail. The base section has been polished to a premium finish, even within the sections where the design has necessitated recesses or in-cutting. With Jack Heuer’s own coat of arms and signature emblazoned in crimson on the rear of the model, this unique chronograph manages to impeccably unify TAG Heuer’s strong traditions with their commitment to contemporary innovation.
The dial of the Jack Heuer Edition is a departure for the Carrera family, and radiates a satisfying range of contrasts and sunburst finishing from within the varied colours and textures that have been used. Despite actually possessing the capabilities of a three register chronograph, the dial initially appears to only exhibit two; a feat that is enabled by the in-house movement’s unusual rotation. The running second hand shares a space with the date aperture, but despite its bewildering array of features the dial never becomes disorderly. The restrained use of luminescence only serves to add to the distinctive appeal of this timepiece, whilst the red detailing on the second and sub dial hands contribute greatly to the watches aesthetic fascination.
The tachymeter style bezel of this chronograph enables the clear observation of a full range of calculations revolving around the measuring of distance and speed, whilst the sapphire crystal of the Jack Heuer Edition Carrera perfectly enhances every detail of the dial. The black leather bracelet with its red lining continues to admirably display the preferred style of Jack Heuer, and also complements the inherent themes within the case design. With a simple push-release mechanism, it is also extremely easy to don or remove, whilst the tooled leather strap facilitates a consummately comfortable fit. A 2 year manufacturer’s warranty completes the list of accolades, although the intrinsic reliability of TAG Heuer’s timepieces means that the watch will most likely continue to conform to peak performance for many more years than this.
The special edition TAG Heuer Jack Heuer Edition Carrera Calibre 1887 watch is a genuinely remarkable release from this consistently revolutionary Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, and it is available to own today here at Banks Lyon. This singular timepiece can be yours for a 10% deposit and 6 monthly payments of £794.24 at 0% finance. At Banks Lyon we also stock an extensive range of regular TAG Heuer watches, so to learn more about this classic brand, or to enquire about any of our other watch and jewellery products, please contact our team on 01524 38 48 58 and we will be pleased to assist you.
{star-snippet}